Former Lighthouse Inn owner reports to federal prison

Former Lighthouse Inn operator Maureen Clark reported to federal prison this morning to begin serving an 87-month sentence for investment fraud, according to Judi Dauria, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

U.S. District Judge Warren W. Eginton had ordered Clark, 58, of Stonington to turn herself in to the Federal Bureau of Prisons by noon today following a July 9 hearing at which her attorney attempted to convince Eginton that Clark should remain free while appealing her conviction.

The judge had already extended Clark’s surrender date several times so that she could get her personal and financial affairs in order. Clark is expected to serve her time at the Federal Prison Camp in Danbury, according to court documents.

A federal jury in July 2012 found her guilty of 20 felony crimes, including one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 13 counts of wire fraud and six counts of money laundering. Eginton sentenced Clark to 87 months in prison in March and ordered her to repay the victims.

According to the government, Clark and her business partner, Christopher Plummer, defrauded investors of $1.7 million in a resort investment scheme in Mississippi and spent the money on the failing Lighthouse Inn and on themselves. Plummer pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and is serving a 51-month prison sentence.